A little knowledge. An empire of 13.

Every comparison uses this expedition’s original data and rules. “Would win” describes this matchup only; a different choice would change the later journey.

1. 1
   Round 1Lost11 countries · 3 lives left

   MalivsMadagascar

   Population: 23,769,127 vs 31,195,932 people · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Mali.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Mali against Madagascar

   Category	Mali	Madagascar	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,240,192	587,041	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	23,769,127	31,195,932	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,178	1,810	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	19.2	53.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,155	2,876	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	0	4,828	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	18.6° N	18.4° S	Would lose

2. 2
   Round 2Won12 countries · 3 lives left

   VanuatuvsGermany

   Proximity to equator: 15.4° S vs 51.0° N from the equator · Closer wins ↓

   Conquered Germany.

   Other category comparisons 2 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Vanuatu against Germany

   Category	Vanuatu	Germany	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	12,189	357,022	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	320,409	83,287,273	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	4,202	72,262	Would lose
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	26.3	233.3	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,877	2,963	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	2,528	2,389	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓ · Chosen	15.4° S	51.0° N	Would win

3. 3
   Round 3Won13 countries · 3 lives left

   NorwayvsSerbia

   Wealth per person: 107,768 vs 29,777 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Serbia.

   Other category comparisons 3 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Norway against Serbia

   Category	Norway	Serbia	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	323,802	77,474	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	5,519,601	6,623,183	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	107,768	29,777	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	17.0	85.5	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	2,469	2,169	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	25,148	0	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	5	Would lose
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	61.5° N	44.2° N	Would lose

4. 4
   Round 4Lost12 countries · 2 lives left

   MaldivesvsPakistan

   Coastline: 644 vs 1,046 km · Higher wins ↑

   Returned to the world: Maldives.

   Other category comparisons 4 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Maldives against Pakistan

   Category	Maldives	Pakistan	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	298	796,095	Would lose
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	525,994	247,504,495	Would lose
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	24,807	6,019	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	1,765.1	310.9	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	5	8,611	Would lose
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	644	1,046	Would lose
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	2	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	3.3° N	27.8° N	Would win

5. 5
   Round 5Won13 countries · 2 lives left

   United KingdomvsLithuania

   Wealth per person: 60,787 vs 52,720 int’l $ · Higher wins ↑

   Conquered Lithuania.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for United Kingdom against Lithuania

   Category	United Kingdom	Lithuania	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	243,610	65,300	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	68,526,000	2,871,585	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	60,787	52,720	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	281.3	44.0	Would win
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	1,345	294	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑	12,429	90	Would win
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	3	3	Would tie
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	52.5° N	55.1° N	Would win

6. 6
   Round 6Tied13 countries · 2 lives left

   EthiopiavsMalawi

   Coastline: 0 vs 0 km · Higher wins ↑

   Malawi became contested.

   Other category comparisons 6 other winning choices

   All eight categories for Ethiopia against Malawi

   Category	Ethiopia	Malawi	Result
   Areakm² · Higher wins ↑	1,104,300	118,484	Would win
   Populationpeople · Higher wins ↑	128,691,692	21,104,482	Would win
   Wealth per personint’l $ · Higher wins ↑	3,063	1,832	Would win
   Densityper km² · Higher wins ↑	116.5	178.1	Would lose
   Highest peakm · Higher wins ↑	4,550	3,002	Would win
   Coastlinekm · Higher wins ↑ · Chosen	0	0	Would tie
   Flag colourscolours · Higher wins ↑	4	3	Would win
   Proximity to equatorfrom the equator · Closer wins ↓	8.5° N	13.4° S	Would win